Device for correcting the trajectory of projectiles in a weapon replica

ABSTRACT

Device for correcting the trajectory of projectiles in a weapon replica The invention relates to a trajectory correction device for a projectile exiting a cannon of a weapon replica, comprising 
         a first pin ( 3   d ) forming a first boss ( 6   d ) for holding the projectile in the cannon,    a second pin ( 3   g ) forming a second boss ( 6   g ) for holding the projectile in the cannon, the first and second pins being situated symmetrically on both sides of a vertical axis (XX) passing by the center (C) of the cannon.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a device for correcting the trajectory of projectiles in an “Air Soft Gun®” or “Softair®” type weapon replica, that fires very light plastic balls with a diameter of approximately 6 millimeters. The invention more precisely relates to the correction of the trajectory of a plastic projectile exiting the cannon of a weapon replica. The trajectory correction of the projectile may be done equally well vertically as horizontally, on a long weapon replica as on a small arm replica.

The invention finds its applications essentially in the field of spring-loaded or electric long arms and, particularly, in long arm replicas such as electric rifles.

The invention is applied, particularly, to weapon replicas of which the projectiles are plastic material balls. The invention may also equip small arm replicas.

PRIOR ART

In the field of weapon replicas, numerous models of firearms are reproduced in the object of manufacturing toys for adults and/or children. These weapon replicas are generally weapons that project, instead of the balls or lead pellets of real weapons, plastic projectiles, such as plastic balls. Such being the case, the weapon replicas generally comprise defects, coming from the manufacturing itself of the replica. These defects, generally situated in the firing system or the cannon, lead to a deviation of the projectiles during their exit from the weapon. For example, by exiting the weapon, the projectiles may be deviated to the right or on the other hand to the left, or even upward or downward. These defects are practically inevitable and are simply due to the manufacturing tolerances. The defects are particularly annoying for rifle-type long weapon replicas, of which the firing range is long. One understands, in fact, that the longer the distance the projectile covers, the more pronounced the deviation of the projectile trajectory.

Currently, in most long weapon replicas, no correction is employed in the trajectory of projectiles.

However, a system exists for vertically correcting the trajectory of projectiles exiting the cannon of a weapon replica. This system, called the HOP UP® system, consists of a rubber pin placed inside the weapon cannon, at the input and to the vertical of the cannon center. More precisely, this rubber pin is situated on the vertical axis that crosses the weapon cannon in its center, in the upper part of the cannon. This rubber pin has a function of holding and orienting the projectile. In fact, this rubber pin more or less maintains the projectile, projected by the firing system, before its exit from the weapon cannon. The act of maintaining the projectile during its exit out of the cannon gives the projectile a rotation effect in its exit trajectory. This rotation effect has the consequence of causing the projectile to rise, that is, to modify the projectile trajectory upward. However, the weight itself of the projectile offsets the deliberately rising trajectory of the projectile, which produces a horizontal trajectory of the projectile, a short time after its exit from the cannon.

As can be understood from reading this explanation, this HOP UP system allows only a vertical correction of the projectile trajectory. Such being the case, as mentioned previously, the manufacturing defects of weapon replicas may cause both vertical and horizontal trajectory defects.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The object of the invention is precisely to solve the disadvantages of the previously described system. For this purpose, the invention proposes a device for correcting the trajectory of a projectile exiting the cannon of an electric long arm, this correction may be vertical or even both vertical and horizontal. For this, the device of the invention consists of placing two rubber pins symmetrically situated on both sides of the vertical axis passing by the cannon center.

More precisely, the invention relates to a correction device for the trajectory of a projectile exiting a cannon of a replica, comprising a first pin forming a first holding boss of the projectile in the cannon.

Characterized in that it comprises a second pin forming a second holding boss of the projectile in the cannon, the first and second pins being situated symmetrically on both sides of a vertical axis passing by the center of the cannon.

Advantageously, the height of the first and second bosses in the cannon is adjustable, thus allowing all possible adjustments on the given effect to the ball in order to optimize the firing precision.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 represents an embodiment of the trajectory correction device according to the invention.

FIGS. 2A and 2B represent a second embodiment of the trajectory correction device of the invention.

FIG. 3 represents a target showing the impacts of projectiles obtained for different adjustments of the device of the invention.

FIG. 4 represents a variation of the trajectory correction device of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 represents a front view, in section, of the cannon of an electric long arm replica, for example a replica of a rifle. This electric long arm replica, more simply called arm or arm replica, is equipped with the trajectory correction device of the invention. In FIG. 1, the arm cannon is referenced 1. The cannon comprises an inner surface 1 i and an outer surface 1 e. This cannon is equipped, along its inner surface 1 i, with a cannon joint 2. This cannon joint 2 is conventionally constructed of an elastic material such as rubber.

Point C is represented in the center of the cannon, that shows the geometric center of the cannon by which the vertical axis referenced XX passes, as well as the horizontal axis HH.

In conformance with the invention, the cannon 1 is equipped with a projectile trajectory correction device. This device comprises a first pin 3 d (right pin) and a second pin 3 g (left pin) that form, respectively, a first boss 6 d and a second boss 6 g inside the cannon 1. These pins 3 d and 3 g are symmetrically placed on both sides of the vertical axis XX, above the horizontal axis HH. In the example of FIG. 1, the pins 3 d and 3 g are placed at an angle of approximately 40° with relation to the vertical axis XX. The screws for pins 3 d and 3 g may be introduced inside the cannon by crossing the cannon 1 itself. The screw may also be introduced by crossing the support of the cannon and the cannon itself. In the latter case, this allows adjustment knobs to be placed near the butt of the weapon replica. The shooter may then easily adjust the height of the bosses while continuing to aim at the target.

In the embodiment of FIG. 1, each pin 3 d and 3 g comprises a screw, respectively, 4 d and 4 g that sinks into the joint 2 of the cannon and thus forms bosses 6 d and 6 g respectively by pressure on the joint. In this embodiment, the screws 4 d and 4 g are each topped by a knob, respectively, 5 d and 5 g that allows the height of the screw sinking into joint 2 to be adjusted. Thus, while screwing more or less each screw in cannon 1, this more or less sinks in the joint 2 creating a more or less sizable boss.

The height adjustment system of the bosses is thus rotary.

In other terms, the height adjustment of each screw sinking into joint 2 regulates the height of each boss. The bosses 6 d and 6 g may thus have identical heights or, on the contrary, different heights.

The function of each of these bosses is to more or less hold the projectile at the time when it is projected out of the cannon. This holding allows the trajectory of the projectile exiting the cannon to be modified. The fact of having different boss heights allows the trajectory to be modified horizontally. In other words, the very existence of the bosses allows the projectiles to be modified vertically. The differential adjustment of the boss heights allows the trajectory of the projectiles to be modified horizontally, that is, to the right or to the left. In fact, when the boss has a low height this diminishes the effect on the projectile during its passage and, on the contrary, when it has a high height, this increases the effect on the projectile during its passage.

One understands that if the bosses 6 d and 6 g have identical heights, that is, if the knob of pin 3 d and the knob of pin 3 g are adjusted identically, then the trajectory of the projectile is not modified horizontally; it is only corrected in the vertical plane. On the other hand, if the bosses 6 d and 6 g have different heights, this influences the trajectory of the projectile in the horizontal and vertical planes.

In particular, if the left boss 6 g is higher than the right boss 6 d, then the firing is oriented to the left. On the contrary, if the right boss 6 d is higher than the left boss 6 g, then the firing is oriented to the right.

An example of firing orientation is represented in FIG. 2. More precisely, FIG. 2 represents a target on which three projectile firings have been carried out.

The result of the first firing T1 shows that the projectile was corrected only vertically. The right 6 d and left 6 g bosses were thus identical.

The result of the second firing T2 is oriented to the right of the vertical axis XX. This shows that the height of the right boss 6 d was higher than that of the left boss 6 g.

On the contrary, the result of the third firing T3 is situated to the left of the vertical axis XX. This shows that the left boss 6 g was bigger than the right boss 6 d.

FIG. 2 thus shows that the trajectory of a projectile may be modified in the horizontal plane in addition to the vertical plane, by causing the height of the bosses 6 d and 6 g to be varied. One understands thus that the correction of the projectile trajectory in the entire space allows practically all the defects of the trajectory of a weapon replica to be corrected.

In FIG. 3A, a side section view is represented of a second embodiment of the device of the invention. In this embodiment, the adjusting pin is referenced 8. This pin 8 comprises a lug 9 in a plastic material, for example in rubber, mounted on an elastic strip 10, for example in metal. The lug 9 is fixed at one of the extremities of the elastic strip 10 by any fixation means, for example by gluing or drilling. The elastic strip 10 is fixed on a certain length, for example on half of its length, to a control rod 11, for example in metal.

An orifice 13 is made in the cannon 1 to allow the passage of the lug 9. The lug 9 is thus maintained in a position chosen by the shooter, in the orifice 13. The lug 9 thus forms a boss inside the cannon of the weapon. The height of this boss is controlled by the control rod 11 associated with the elastic strip 10. More precisely, the elastic strip 10 maintains the lug 9 more or less completely in the orifice 13. To do this, the elastic strip 10 is extended by the control rod 11 on which it is fixed. Thus, the more the control rod 11 is pulled toward the shooter, the more the elastic strip 10 is in extension and the less completely the lug 9 is introduced in the orifice 13, thus the shorter the boss. On the contrary, the more the control rod is pushed toward the cannon support 7, the more the elastic strip 10 is slackened and the more completely the lug 9 enters in the orifice 13 and thus the bigger the boss. Thus, when the control rod 11 is pushed to the maximum toward the cannon 1, then the elastic strip 10 is placed against the outer surface of the cannon 1, which has the consequence of causing the lug 9 to enter inside the cannon 1 preeminently, which creates a boss with a maximum height without any risk of blocking of a ball that's a little big, since the flexibility of the elastic strip allows it to be ejected! On the other hand, when the control rod 11 is pulled to the maximum toward the shooter, then the elastic strip 10 is in maximum extension (as shown in FIG. 3A), this has the consequence of raising the lug to the maximum in the orifice 13, not creating any boss.

To facilitate this pushing or pulling manipulation of the control rod 11, the latter may comprise a lever 11, that may be, for example, an extension of the control rod folded according to a 90° angle with relation to the horizontal axis HH. In this case, as shown in FIG. 3B, this lever 12 crosses an oblong orifice 15 made in the frame 14 of the weapon.

By more or less pulling or pushing this lever 12, the shooter directly acts on the height of the boss formed by the lug 9. This embodiment allows a system for adjusting the linear height of the bosses to be obtained. Such a linear adjustment has the advantage of being easier to measure by the shooter. In fact, the view of the lever 12 in the oblong hole 15 allows the shooter to visualize the level of the boss, that is, if the boss is null, low, average, high, maximum and all the levels of the intermediate bosses.

FIGS. 3A and 3B show a single boss and a single adjustment system for the height of this boss. Of course, one will understand that, as for the first embodiment (shown in FIG. 2), the trajectory correction device according to this second embodiment also comprises two symmetrical bosses, the height of each boss is adjusted by an independent control system (control rod, elastic strip, etc.).

Whatever embodiment is chosen, the trajectory correction device is placed just after the location from where the projectile is projected toward the outside, at the entrance of the cannon. In the first embodiment, the boss adjustment systems are situated, outside the weapon, practically at this location from where the projectile is projected. In the second embodiment, the boss adjustment systems have the advantage of being able to be transported, that is, placed at a chosen location of the weapon, for example close to the shooter.

In a variation of the invention, the trajectory correction device may not be adjustable. It may then equip economical weapon replicas. In this case, the correction device comprises two bosses situated on the upper part of the cannon, on both sides of the axis XX. These two bosses 6d and 6 g are identical to those represented in FIG. 1, except that their height is not adjustable. The bosses are then manufactured by half spheres in a rubber material formed on the inside surface of the cannon 1. In this variation, during the rotation effectivity, the ball is better wedged than in the known case where a single boss maintains the ball, which may then shift slightly to the left or to the right of the firing axis. This device thus allows the dispersion of the firing to be reduced, which provides a better grouping of firings during a series of firings.

In another variation, the location of bosses 6 d and 6 g on the inner surface of the cannon 1 is adjustable. This variation is represented in FIG. 4. In this variation, the bosses are identical to those of the previous variation and the correction device comprises a knob 16 fixed on the cannon 1, at an equal distance from the two bosses 6 d and 6 g. The cannon (or the part of the cannon comprising the two bosses) being free in rotation, the knob 16 allows the cannon 1 to pivot in the cannon support 7 and, consequently, to move the bosses 6 d and 6 g with relation to the axis XX.

This total or partial cannon rotation, to the left or right of the axis XX, allows the firing to the left or to the right of the axis XX to be corrected. In other words, this cannon rotation allows the trajectory of the ball to be corrected horizontally. 

1. A trajectory correction device for a projectile exiting a cannon of a weapon replica, comprising a first pin forming a first boss for holding the projectile in the cannon, wherein the device comprises a second pin forming a second boss for holding the projectile in the cannon, the first and second pins being symmetrically situated on both sides of a vertical axis passing by the center of the cannon, below a horizontal axis passing by the center of said cannon.
 2. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that the height of the first and second bosses in the cannon is adjustable.
 3. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that the first and second pins each comprise a screw with an adjustment knob.
 4. The device according to claim 3, characterized in that each screw of a pin pushes on a joint of the cannon in an elastic material, forming a boss.
 5. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that the first and second pins each comprise a lug fixed on an elastic strip.
 6. The device according to claim 5, characterized in that the cannon comprises, for each lug, an orifice for passage of the lug.
 7. The device according to claim 5, characterized in that the elastic strip is deformed by a control rod.
 8. The device according to claim 5, characterized in that the lug is made of an elastic material.
 9. The device according to claim 5, characterized in that the elastic strip is metal.
 10. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that the location of the bosses in the cannon is adjustable.
 11. The device according to claim 10, characterized in that the device comprises an adjustment knob fixed on the cannon, at equal distance from the two bosses.
 12. A projectile trajectory correction device for a weapon replica comprising: a tubular cannon having a bore in which a projectile is received; an elastic joint disposed in the bore in the cannon between the projectile and the cannon; a plurality of bosses extending inwardly from the joint into the bore that bear against the projectile; and wherein each one of the bosses is adjustable to affect trajectory of the projectile when the projectile is launched from the cannon.
 13. The device according to claim 12, further comprising a plurality of pins that each extends through a sidewall of the cannon and bears against one of the bosses, wherein the extent to which each pin can be extended is adjustable thereby enabling each boss to be adjusted by controlling how far the boss extends into the bore.
 14. The device according to claim 13, wherein the elastic joint is circular and bears against an inner surface of the cannon.
 15. The device according to claim 12, further comprising a plurality of screws that each threads into the cannon and bears against one of the bosses enabling each boss to be adjusted.
 16. The device according to claim 12, wherein each boss is integral with the elastic joint.
 17. A projectile trajectory correction device for a weapon replica comprising: a tubular cannon having a bore in which a projectile is received; a plurality of bosses extending inwardly into the bore that bear against the projectile; a cannon support in which the cannon is received, the cannon being rotatable relative to the cannon support; and a knob extending through the aperture and fixed to the cannon that is manipulable by a user to rotate the cannon relative to the cannon support to move the bosses in unison therewith.
 18. The device according to claim 17, wherein each boss extends inwardly from the cannon, the knob extends outwardly from the cannon beyond the cannon support, and movement of the knob rotates the cannon relative to the cannon support to position the bosses relative to a vertical axis thereof.
 19. A projectile trajectory correction device for a weapon replica comprising: a tubular cannon having a bore in which a projectile is received and an orifice in a sidewall thereof; an axially extending elastic strip disposed alongside an exterior surface of the cannon that has a lug with a boss received in the orifice that projects into the bore; and an axially adjustable control rod that cooperates with the elastic strip to selectively control how far the boss projects into the bore.
 20. The device according to claim 19, further comprising a cannon support in which the cannon is received, and wherein the control rod and elastic strip slidably overlap one another and have at least a portion of where the control rod and elastic strip overlap being disposed between the cannon and the cannon support.
 21. The device according to claim 20, wherein the control rod is axially extended or retracted to change how far the boss projects into the bore in the cannon. 